Lead Mines Helens Twr

1 Star
0
2 Star
0
3 Star
1
4 Star
6
5 Star
6
Avg Rating:4.38/5.00
Read All 13 reviews
Average Rider Rating : 4.38/5.00
Rate this trails location icon: write a review
 

Accessible from the Somme Heritage Centre, off the A21 Bangor Newtownards road, just N of Newtownards.
Lots of technical drops, rocky sections, etc in lead mines. Link with Helens Tower for a good XC loop and some nice single track. Also the now popular "Dufferin Trail" and the Sunday Breakfast Run.

Lead Mines / Helens Tower Multimap Link

Park beside the Somme Heritage Centre, Whitespots Country Park, just off the A21 Newtownards to Bangor road.

The Lead Mines are popular with Motorbike Trials riders due to the vast array of technical drops, rocky sections, etc. Linking to Helen's Tower a good XC loop is possible.

Helens Tower contains some nice sections of single track around the tower.

The Dufferin Trail from Conlig

The Dufferin Trail is now causing some excitement, gettin a mighty 5 stars in the reviews. Visit the link for the map etc, and you should be able to work it out from the satellite image on the Google Map. The Dufferin Trail on Motionbased. Features short flowy singletrack which can be done as a loop or part of a longer trail - follow the yellow markers.

The Sunday Breakfast Run from Conlig

A good XC ride can be to follow the Ulster Way down to Helen's Bay / Crawfordsburn for a well deserved breakfast / ice-cream!

The Sunday Breakfast Run on Motionbased

icon: cyclistRider Reviews

Average Rider Rating : 4.38/5.00
Rate this trails location icon: write a review
 
star ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar rating
Reviewed By:brad
Leadmines is a real good track(s) some good drops and jumps
just some aren't very long
star ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar rating
Reviewed By:Michael
Dufferin trail - adds something different to the usual run down the middle of that section of woods.
star ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar rating
Reviewed By:monrobot
Novice's point-of-view: went round Helen's Tower / Lead mines on a fixed-fork, slim-rim bike, and it is a great place. There's no doubt that to get the best out of it you'd need a half-decent MTB, but it would suit any level of bike or ability. Had a good enough time to decide that it's time to invest in something a bit better! From the house I can be in the Lead Mines in under 5 minutes, so this was something of a revelation - I know where I'll be spending a good deal of the summer :)
star ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar rating
Reviewed By:bob8925
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/5068879

dufferin trail,
xc loop
star ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar rating empty star rating
Reviewed By:Ali McKee
Great mix of trails - good xc singletrack for beginners like me.
star ratingstar ratingstar rating empty star ratingempty star rating
Reviewed By:bob8925
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.mb?episodePk.pkValue=4400806
star ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar rating empty star rating
Reviewed By:bob8925
lord wardens: several good single track loops,very flowy and fast in places,couple of obstacles built in for good measure

lead mines: as technical as you want to find,from a few feet of rock descent to rock gardens/drop offs/technical climbs

helens tower: descents from the tower,single track,fire road,couple of more hidden descents,mix and match as you please

join all together,stopping in crawfordsburn for a fry and you have the perfect sunday morning run.....
(approx 17 to 23 miles depending where we go..)
star ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar rating
Reviewed By:Aaron
For what I want - easy interesting XC this is great. I can get a nice 1-2 hour loop all off road and all from my house in Bangor. Really like it. Looking forward to checking out some other trails on the site as I am new to mtb riding.
star ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar rating empty star rating
Reviewed By:sammyf
Something for everyone here. The leadmins have lots to offer especially if you use your imagination.
Some very good XC loops and downhill runs in and around Helens Tower and Lord Wardens. Definatly try to link up with our Sunday Breakfast run. This can take in the full range on offer and can be up to 20+K
star ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar rating empty star rating
Reviewed By:Andy jacko
Loads of wee good tracks for a range of abilities. Can spend hours going round there.
star ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar rating
Reviewed By:PaulMcA
Outside of the Clooneys and Rostrevor, the XC trails around Helen's Tower and Lord Wardens are the best in the north of ireland. Add the trails along the Ulster Way down to Helens Bay and you have 20+ km of pure MTB pleasure.
star ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar rating empty star rating
Reviewed By:Michael
Nice XC ride through Beechill/Lord Wardens. Plenty of rocky stuff in the lead mines. Plenty of variety.
star ratingstar ratingstar ratingstar rating empty star rating
Reviewed By:AndyL
Do's: The sunday morning breakfast run (see MTBrider.com rides section). The guides know the place like the back of their bacon baps.
Donts: Ignoring the SMBR.

Some short DH blasts available from helens tower, xc stuff in the leadmines/lord wardens. Nice mixed terrain, easy to get totally lost though, its a maze in there!
 
close this form
where 1=rubbishthumbs down and 5=badger-tastic thumbs up
close this form

NOTE: The trails on this site have been ridden before, but you should not interpret their inclusion as an indication that mountain-biking is officially sanctioned on them. Seeking permission from landowners is your own responsibility, as is conducting yourself in a manner that is courteous, respectful to the environment, and conscious of the safety of others.